#2
Posted: 4/10/06 at 5:52pm
Wow I commend you for the long and arduous task of documenting all that. I loved reading it(and besides I get a kick out of Donna!Lady)
#4
Posted: 4/10/06 at 5:58pm
reading that just make sme want to see it all the more.....
#5
Posted: 4/10/06 at 5:59pm
Thank you so much for writing this. I definitley need to go back now. This show keeps getting more and more interesting.
#6
Posted: 4/10/06 at 5:59pm
wow, now I want to see it again! Excellent post!
I have no idea why this musical touches me so much. It is not happy, it is not "fun"........but truly I think it is for that reason......it just is....
Attend the tale of Sweeney Todd.
His skin was pale and his eye was odd.
He shaved the faces of gentlemen
Who never thereafter were heard of again.
He trod a path that few have trod,
Did Sweeney Todd, The Demon Barber of Fleet Street
I have no idea why this musical touches me so much. It is not happy, it is not "fun"........but truly I think it is for that reason......it just is....
Attend the tale of Sweeney Todd.
His skin was pale and his eye was odd.
He shaved the faces of gentlemen
Who never thereafter were heard of again.
He trod a path that few have trod,
Did Sweeney Todd, The Demon Barber of Fleet Street
It is ridiculous to set a detective story in New York City. New York City is itself a detective story...
AGATHA CHRISTIE, Life magazine, May 14, 1956
#7
Posted: 4/10/06 at 6:01pm
This sounds fascinating, even though I don't know the show well enough to catch all of the little details, by any measure.
I love that it's a show that gives you so much to chew on and think about.
A work of art is an invitation to love.
I love that it's a show that gives you so much to chew on and think about.
#8
Posted: 4/10/06 at 6:02pm
thank you for detailed info - it makes me green because i really miss the show. i was lucky enough to see it in its first two thrust theatres in west berkshire and london.
i was watching some of the obc sweeney on youtube and it looks very dated. this i could cope with, but the stage looks huge. having seen it performed by the royal opera i don't think i could see another large sweeney again - to me all sondheim needs to be small scale. especially sweeney as for a thriller you need to see people faces (imo)
...john doyle's mack & mabel opens tonight in london - which is fantastic. i cried what seemed like a week after.
i was watching some of the obc sweeney on youtube and it looks very dated. this i could cope with, but the stage looks huge. having seen it performed by the royal opera i don't think i could see another large sweeney again - to me all sondheim needs to be small scale. especially sweeney as for a thriller you need to see people faces (imo)
...john doyle's mack & mabel opens tonight in london - which is fantastic. i cried what seemed like a week after.
Life is a big show tune
#9
Posted: 4/10/06 at 6:03pm
Oh, wow, thanks for detailing all of that! It's interesting to hear Mano's analysis of some aspects of the show and his approach to Tobias, who I agree is the most interesting character (particularly in this production). And thanks for offering your own thoughts on some of the changes. I agree with what others have said--now I really want to see it again!
#10
Posted: 4/10/06 at 6:04pm
Thanks for taking the time to write all of that. I agree with everyone else, now I really want to see it again!
That was pure vodka, you poop!
#11
Posted: 4/10/06 at 6:06pm
sigh...I REALLY need to get to some West End productions......I tried to make our July European trip go through London, but using miles I couldn't.........so then I thought ok, I'll see an opera somewhere......WRONG, the only major company STILL with productions in July is Zurich, and it's a world premiere of a new opera, but.....it's the night of the day we arrive, so after 36 hours awake....I just don't think I'd stay awake.....
It is ridiculous to set a detective story in New York City. New York City is itself a detective story...
AGATHA CHRISTIE, Life magazine, May 14, 1956
#12
Posted: 4/10/06 at 6:08pm
I also want to extend my thanks. That was a fabulous insight into the show...I need to see it this week sometime agian!
Happy...Everything!
Kaye Thompson
#13
Posted: 4/10/06 at 6:09pm
I just think its great how with a new direction of classic material, the whole focus can shift from one character being the most important to a different one. Typically it is Sweeneys story, however in this it really is Tobys show and it is great to hear what the actors have to say about this
#15
Posted: 4/10/06 at 6:13pm
I don't know if many -- especially hardcore Sweeney fans -- would agree, but I really like that it's Toby's story. Not only is it unexpected, but I think it's enhacing; but, it also goes without saying that I definitely like shows that are sort of "told through" a certain character, or have characters that serve as "narrators" and the like.
A work of art is an invitation to love.
#18
Posted: 4/10/06 at 6:22pm
To add to this branch of discussion, I find it better that Toby is the storyteller because there is less written in stone with him. Sweeney basically has his story mapped out, there is little to interpret there. With Toby however, we know less about him and after seeing the original staging and how his character was handled, I was always bored by him and never really took much attention to him.
It just goes to show that with some really creative acting and interesting concepts can really build up a character who really knows no limits. God I love this production so much, it gave the piece so much more justice and proved how genius it is. I give Doyle so much credit and Sondheim must be so thankful that others can see the versatility in his work and how much potential it holds.
It just goes to show that with some really creative acting and interesting concepts can really build up a character who really knows no limits. God I love this production so much, it gave the piece so much more justice and proved how genius it is. I give Doyle so much credit and Sondheim must be so thankful that others can see the versatility in his work and how much potential it holds.
#19
Posted: 4/10/06 at 6:26pm
I NEED to see this show! I wish I could afford a trip to New York (let alone a trip to buy the cast album). My friend's boyfriend saw it over Spring break and hated it, but he's not familiar with Sweeney nor did he expect to sbe overloaded with symbolism.
I don't care if it is completely different from the show I love: I WANT TO SEE THIS SHOW N-O-W!!!
I don't care if it is completely different from the show I love: I WANT TO SEE THIS SHOW N-O-W!!!
-- SDG
#20
Posted: 4/10/06 at 6:28pm
amazing post. i can't wait to see the show again. thanks chica!!!
#21
Posted: 4/10/06 at 6:29pm
Chica, we can always count on you for awesome insight. Nice job! =)
I have not seen the show yet (too far away) but hopefully if all works out I'll be seeing it soon. I appreciate people posting things to look out for or things to pay attention to during the performance, I be sure to keep it in mind when I see it. =)
I have not seen the show yet (too far away) but hopefully if all works out I'll be seeing it soon. I appreciate people posting things to look out for or things to pay attention to during the performance, I be sure to keep it in mind when I see it. =)
#22
Posted: 4/10/06 at 6:33pm
Chica- Thank you SO much for posting this...I seriously need to see this show somehow...NEED TO!
#23
Posted: 4/10/06 at 6:39pm
Must see this show up closer next time! You miss so much of this in the mezzanine.
I am a firm believer in serendipity- all the random pieces coming together in one wonderful moment, when suddenly you see what their purpose was all along.
#24
Posted: 4/10/06 at 6:50pm
Thank you, thank yui, thank you. I've seen it 3 times so far, and I plan on taking my brother again next week. I cannot wait to see these changes. Thank God for student rush, because I seriously cannot get this show out of my head, and I would go crazy if I couldn't see it so often. Is there anyone else who really cannot top thinking about it?
"We don't value the lily less for not being made of flint and built to last. Life's bounty is in it's flow, later is too late. Where is the song when it's been sung, the dance when it's been danced? It's only we humans who want to own the future too."
- Tom Stoppard, Shipwreck
#25
Posted: 4/10/06 at 6:58pm
I was there Thursday as well. For my first visit. I thought it was one of the finest pieces of theatre I have seen in many years. Reading your post reminded me of several things that I noted, and I am pleased that I saw the 'refreshed' version. I can't imagine that the show was any less spectacular prior, but this post revives my excitement about the performance I saw. Merci.
Hamlet's father.
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